Commercial Casting For Actors: How To Ace Your Next Audition

1. 01 Commercial Casting for Actors: Introduction: Hello, I'm Shonali offered, and I'm Martin. Think on both actors and casting directors from Cape Town. A few years ago, we started our own company, typecast crossing directors, and during the past three years we have crossed over 15 commercials. Andi as actors, acting, being our first love. Of course, we've both done numerous commercials, theatre shows, TV series and films. So basically we have first and experience in front and behind the camera. During this casting calls, our focus will be on casting commercial casting from the point of view off the casting director and afternoon. And we will tackle topics like RT prepared for casting how to ground yourself, wrapping for your performance, a wardrobe do's and don't how to introduce yourself on camera as well as a chops. Yeah, and what to expect after the casting Justin interview. So when you are done with this course, you will definitely have a better understanding of the whole casting process. Andi also have some valuable tricks off the trade right from the horse's mouth. Yeah, we have some great interactive activities to about four. It'll certainly improve your overall cost of skills, and if you want to know a little bit more about us. You can go to typecast dot TV as actors, we know how truly daunting the costing experience could be. So we truly hope that you will take a lot out of this course and gain some valuable skills and go and book that job. 2. 02 Commercial Casting for Actors: Things To Know: before we jump into the course. Here are some things to keep in mind when going toe accosting. Contrary to popular opinion, the costing director doesn't have the final decision. The job of a casting directors to present people to their clients who they feel will be able to do the job. The final decision is between the producer, the client, the agency and the director. So the client is basically the products or the brand for which you are costing. The agency are the creatives who come up with concepts and strategies for advertising campaigns. The producer is from the production company. It's the producer's job to make sure everything runs smoothly and according to budget. Basically executing the shoot, the director might sometimes be part of the production company. All he can be an independent director appointed by the agency. As you cannot see, there are a lot of people involved in making the final decision. The casting director can suggest who they know who will be able to play the part, but it's not their final decision, so this can take a lot of pressure off you as an actor in the costing. Casting directors are on your side. They are they to get the best performance out of you. Although they don't make the final decision, they still decide who they invite a studio and who not to be placing. Be professional beyond time, Be prepared. If not, you might not be going back to the studio for another. Costing castings are job interviews. Treat them as such with that being said, Remember Toe. Also enjoy it because castings allow you to act. See every costing as opportunity to act. You have two minutes to play. Doctor, serial killer even Just pretend to eat salad. Walk into the room as if you already booked the job and you are here to shoot the sea. It's not always use. Not looking a job doesn't mean that you are inadequate to do the job most of the time, especially for commercials, the client is looking for a specific look. They're looking for a tall person. You are short. They're looking for someone with long way. You are bold. It's got absolutely nothing to do with your abilities as an actor, even though it's look specific. If the director invites you to studio, it means he has faith in your abilities as an actor 3. 03 Commercial Casting for Actors: Pre Casting PT 1 Gather Info: We don't always get a lot of information from our agents when we requested for accosting. So it's your job to equip yourself to the best of your ability. So when going to a casting and when receiving the costing brief, just check the following. Make sure that you haven't done any similar commercials or campaigns for competing brands. If you're not sure it's basted, check with your agent. It's also advisable to double check the wardrobe and shooting dates to make sure that you are available. For those states, an actor or model who come to the costing and he's definitely not available for the dates is one of a costing directors and clients biggest headaches. Being as prepared as possible can only count in your favor. So always check with your agent if they've received the following information. One studio performance brief. It can be quite embarrassing and daunting if you arrive at a casting and you've had a few lines or performances to prepare and you never did to the character brief. The more you know about your character, the better and three wardrobe specs dressing. The part is advisable unless specified differently. Sometimes when you don't get specific water up instructions, revert your character brief and dress accordingly. A little effort goes a long way when it comes to costing. Take a look at some of these characters. Pick one all of them, head over to your closet and figure out what you would have won if you got any off these characters to cost for. So take a photo in, Send It Our Way would love to give you some feedback on the water of you chose for your character. You also welcome to bigger character, not on the list. You know, one that your tradition for before see what you do with it. 4. 04 Commercial Casting for Actors: Pre Casting PT 2 Research: get to know the product or brand nothing excites declined as much as an actor model who knows the brand. For instance, if the brand is about online platform, where people sell things, go and don't know the up. Familiarize yourself with it. If it's about a cargo and read up about the brand, understand the brand. Google is your friend. Don't go to a costing not knowing what the brand is about. If you know what the brand is about and they ask you to improvise, it will be so much easier for you and the casting director like that. 5. 05 Commercial Casting for Actors: Pre Casting PT 3 Prepare: preparation is key. Now that you have all the information, you possibly could have work through it and make sure you are fully prepared before going to your casting. No, the products. Learn your lines and dress the pot. Sometimes the client will ask the costing Director toe, also the actor a few questions about themselves while there are introducing themselves. This is to see who you all, what you are about, and if you can think on your feet, they do this with a special purpose. They want to see if you buckle under pressure or not, and it happens a lot. We rooms and ours, and this doesn't read very well on camera. So we suggest that in the car, on the bus, on your way to the costing, ask yourself a few questions just to get you in that. So what are my hobbies? What did I do over the weekend? What is interesting about me? What's my favorite thing about winter? What previous work that I do? Chances are they will ask you something completely different. But as long as you get yourself in that murder off, answering questions and thinking on your feet, you'll be fine. You can even take it a step further and ask yourself questions like, Why do I enjoy most about Christmas if it's a Christmas campaign? Or how often do I shave if the commercialised about shaving formal razors or what's my favorite smell in the world? If the campaign is about air freshener or perfume? Another great tip when being asked a random question by coursing director is to simply repeat the question. For instance, the casting director will ask you, What did you do over the weekend? Stay back and repeat the question. What did I do over the weekend? It just gives you a second or two to think on your feet. Remember to keep it real. Keep it interesting. And if you could make the casting director laugh even better. But try to heart. And when they ask you to tell you a bit about yourself, don't say I'm an actor. They know you're an actor. That's why you are here. And remember, you only have a few seconds in that studio. Make it count. Film yourself, answering any off these questions and submitted to us, we will be happy to give you some pointers on how to improve on some of those answers. This part of the costing process Good, Michael, break you so do not hesitate to interact with this activity. Please give your own. Just below 15 seconds, Johns, are you won't have more than that in the costing room. 6. 06 Commercial Casting for Actors: Casting PT 1 Casting Etiquette: casting a ticket so some of these points might seem fairly obvious, but it's a very good idea toe. Always stick to them as much as possible. Be early. Being on time is being late because you will always have to fill out a form you might be out of breath, so be earlier than your allocated time slot so that you can catch your breath and focus. Don't complain about having to wait in the queue. Yes, I know we all hate waiting in a queue, but it's the nature of the beast. And if you've been to a lot of castings before, you will know that sometimes it takes five minutes. Sometimes it might take up to a whole hour, so go prepared. Take a book, listen to some music and remember that it really reflects very badly on you if you placed in the front of house about the time slot, so be patient and remember, be flexible with your time when going to accosting, usually in a voice when waiting in the reception area. When going to a casting, it's very likely that you're gonna bump into a friend or fellow actor, but please try to keep the excitement down voice. Rather sit down, read a book and do some focus exercises than making noises that will really distract the actors trying to do their best in the room next door. Switch it off. Nothing gets to accosting a rectum or and someone whose phones ringing or vibrating performance. Sometimes you'll be called into the costing rooms with numerous other actors on. This can be very, very daunting, especially for your focus. But please be respectful. Don't stare at them. Don't talk while they are trying to do their best. I've seen many instances, especially in group performances where people start copying each other and not bringing the own varieties to do the actual costing. Brief. So go for it. Give it your own interpretation and please remember to respect to other actors and acting is reacting. So when you are in a group, make sure you are listening and playing off each other. It's all about respect for your fellow actor 7. 07 Commercial Casting for Actors: Casting PT 2 Entering The Room: now, this could be the scariest spot walking into that room, not knowing what to expect. Most of the time, it will only be you in the casting director, But other times the producer and the client might also be they just relax. People liked. Introduce yourself. Remember, a casting is a job interview. You have to be employable even before you start your performance. As I mentioned earlier, casting directors don't have the final say as to who gets the job, so there's no need to make small talk or try to increase the casting Director Casting directors are only human, after all, and they see hundreds and hundreds of people per day, especially with commercials. So if the casting director is not being overly friendly or making time for you to have a chat, don't take it personally. That costing the Rex has been behind the camera all day, giving their energy. If they don't have anything left for you, it's OK. It's nothing personal. Just focus. Do your best. By this time, your cell phone should be off and you should be in water. Don't walk into the casting room and waste precious time by doing things you could have done before walking in 8. 08 Commercial Casting for Actors: Casting PT 3 Photos: right before we jump straight into intros, headshots and performances. Remember that every single casting director is different, and it will be different in every single country. So this is just a broad overview of what to expect on. Also, remember that you have to trust the process. Just listen to what you're being asked and you will be fine when a constant Rx represents the costing to the clients. The first thing a client and the producer and that I rectus is is your headshot. So here are some examples of how to do it and, more importantly, are not to do it. The perfect head short is a clean, open and friendly one. Make sure you drop your chin slightly to allow the studio lights to light up your eyes. Keep your knees locked to ensure that your head is sainted. The position off the costing numbers. Also very important places just below your collarbone. This way, the studio director can frame your face. If the number is placed too low, the head shot will be too wide and they won't see your lovely features. Most Glines don't like overly posed images with grins and parts. This looks unnatural and to Model E. Unless the studio director asks you to be in character, just be yourself. So the very first thing a casting director sees off you is your headshot. That's the picture of you you have on your agents website. Make sure it's updated. Make sure it shows the rial. You don't have it. Photoshopped and way too much makeup be a clean canvas, so seeing those head shots and we will give you feedback. 9. 09 Commercial Casting for Actors: Casting PT 4 Introduction: often have had some photos taken. You'll jump into the on camera introduction. Here are some tips and tricks on how to execute it and also the reason behind some of the things that costing. Director wants to know. Can I have your name? Agent Agency, Are they? My name is Martin. I'm 29 I'm with artist one. Your hands, please. And profiles. Martin, are you available for the shooting dates? Yes, I am. Have you been in anything competitive? No, thank you. I gonna have your name. Agent Agency. Martin 29. Artist one Your hands, please. And profiles. Are you available for the shooting dates? Anything competitive and no, thank you. And then, of course, the dreaded random question. Remember, they're only asking this to see your personality, So keep it fun, upbeat and avoid the wounds and the ours 10. 10 Commercial Casting for Actors: Casting PT 5 Performances: Here are some tips on how to improve your performances and make sure you don't get distracted due to technicalities. Don't be afraid to ask questions. You took the time to prepare and to get there. You are allowed to ask questions. The more you know, the better your chances. Keep your questions to a minimum. Don't just ask questions for the sake of asking questions. But one of the most important questions are, um, I in a close up, a merchant or a wide Can I use props? Am I allowed to move around? Remember, it's your time in studio. Make it count and ask the right questions. Forget about the lights. Forget about the camera and be in the moment as character. Close your eyes briefly and focus, then tackle your performance. This is probably the one thing most actors fail at in the casting, staying away off the camera and trying to keep open to it. Remember, the camera is liken. I. It only sees what you show if you have a scene with a partner of what we're talking to them in profile. If you have a scene where someone is seated and you are not don't look down all the time or stain profile. Also, ConEd cover your face with props in your hand by just opening up to camera, but more declined and director would be able to engage more with you. Remember, this is not the actual shooting day where you might have multiple camera shooting in different directions. This is just a casting studio where you have one camera shooting in one direction. Opening up to camera might feel unnatural, rebut, forced. But it's better to see your entire face when saying something and just seeing the top of your head the whole time. Like I mentioned previously, they might be a lot of people in the room in your cost. This could be the clients, directors, producers or even fellow actors. Don't let them ever distract you, forget about them entirely and focus on the job at hand. If you're all paid up with someone for the performance, chances are that you didn't have much time, if any to rehearse. This can put you in an awkward position where you appear to have no chemistry, especially when it's an improvised scene. The scene control flats and it doesn't read well on camera when playing opposite another actor who is not really giving me something to work with. Give them something to work with. Remember, acting is reacting on. The scene will just look much more rounded if you listen first before you react. An actor stopping with the scene before the casting director says Gut is probably one of my biggest big beeves. Don't stop or look at the camera unless the costing director has said Cut. I see it so often where people play a scene and then look at the camera thinking again. I'm done. No, use those seconds. They are very valuable. Stay in the scene. Stay in the moment. Give something else. Those 23 seconds can be the difference between you landing or losing the job. If you get the opportunity to do a scene for a second time, take the notes the casting director gives you. Don't take it personal leave. They give you notes. A casting director is on your side. They are there to make sure you give the best performance possible to take the notes they give you and use them as tools to improve your performance. 11. 11 Commercial Casting for Actors: Post Casting: so the cost Things done. You're walking out of the studio and sometimes you might feel you want the Earth to swallow you. Sometimes you might feel you haven't done enough. But just remember, there's absolutely nothing you can do about what happened in that studio. So let it go. Move on. Don't sit at the phone waiting for the call from your agent. Remember, this is what you do for a living. You must enjoy going to castings. It's an opportunity to act and you are only human. So be kind to yourself. And remember, you did your best. It's based not to change your appearance. After casting, the clients and director will view footage of you and we'll book you according to what you look like right now in the costing Once you've been optioned or once you've booked the job Congratulations. Please don't change your look If they want you blonde stay blonde. I had actress coming to the studio. She had blond Hey, she booked the job on arrived on set with pink Bob here on they weren't happy at all. So please stick to what you looked like when you did the casting. Keep one look throughout one season 12. 12 Commercial Casting for Actors: Callback Recall: Okay, so now we've come to the callback or, as they call it in other countries recall. Basically, it's just another casting, but this time, with the shortlisted cost. This can be a very scary process because the director, the producer and the client will all be there. Don't expect the callback to be exactly the same as the costing. They will be spending a lot more time with you more in depth performances to see what you can bring as an actor and look for a little bit more range. So be prepared. Be on time, focus and listen. Getting paid for a callback or recall is not a given, but in some countries you get paid to attend the recall, while in other countries you only get paid after being there for two hours. When you get notified about your core back, your agent will contact you to get options. What, to pencil you? I'm sure you've wondered before what it means to be optioned or penciled, as they call it in other countries. Basically, this has got to do with your availability. If you are 100% available for the shoot, you are on first option so they hold those dates. If you are an option on another job and you're not confirmed yet and you have other responsibilities or shoot dates that's already been booked on those dates, it might change. So then you are on second option, so first option means you're completely available. A second option means you are available, but they are other opportunities that might come through. In the meantime, don't let this confuse you and don't leave. Don't get too excited about this either, because it doesn't mean you book the job yet, but you are very close. 13. 13 Commercial Casting for Actors: Outro: we've come to the end of our commercial costing for active schools. Please don't hesitate to contact us. Should give any questions or queries will be ready to answer them. We'll be uploading in addition ing for form course really soon. So please keep in my heart that I really hope you learned something amazing out of our video and thank you for watching.